Slide fastener



Sept. 16, 1969 c. T. LAWRENCE SLIDE FASTENER Filed July 24, 1967 IN VEN TOR. C442: 55 T 1 4/4/2910:

5 M A TTORN EY S.

Ill/Ill]! '//////////////1// United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slide fastener, stringer and method of making the same for an invisible type slide fastener having a plurality of interlocking elements formed from a continuous filament of the meander or ladder type configuration. The interlocking elements on each filament configuration are located and formed on one of the two series of heel portions with the other series of heel portions providing a support for a carrying tape inserted between the legs of the meander type configuration and folded thereabout, such that the fold of the tapes of the slide fastener in the closed position will simulate a seam.

This invention relates to a slide fastener and, more particularly, to a continuous filament type slide fastener Whose construction permits the simulation of a seam when the fastener is in the closed position.

Slide fasteners of the continuous filament type have been manufactured from a continuous filament bent to a zigzag configuration, and then further deformed to provide a slide fastener stringer comprising a plurality of successive substantially U-shaped elements located in alignment with each other and extending in a longitudinal direction. In forming each stringer, pairs of leg members of adjacent U-shaped elements are interconnected by U- shaped heel portions with successive pairs of U-shaped elements being interconnected by U-shaped heel portions located on alternate sides of the axis extending the length of the stringer. Normally, a stringer so formed is secured to a carrying tape to make continuous slide fastener chain in a manner such that the legs of each U-shaped element are disposed on opposite sides of the tape and the bight portion interconnecting the legs is located outwardly from the elongated edge of the tape. The bight portion of each element is deformed to provide an interlocking head. With such a construction, two continuous lengths of slide fastener chain can be made to interlock in response to the movement of a slider along the length of the chain.

This type of filamentary configuration is not readily adapted to a concealed fastener construction, wherein it is desirable to bring the two tapes together to appear as a single seam when the slider is moved to the closed position. In prior concealed fastener applications incorporating this filamentary configuration, a continuous cord or tape has been inserted intermediate the legs of the U-shaped elements and secured thereto, after which this assembly has been sewn to the marginal edge of a tape to form slide fastener chain. When the slider is moved to the closed position, the edges of the tape are moved towards each other to give the appearance of a seam. However, in manufacturing this type of slide fastener it is necessary to locate the stringer precisely relative to the edge of the tape, otherwise lateral forces exerted on the slide fastener, because of the application, will tend to separate the tapes along the simulated seam to expose the interlocking heads.

In the present invention, a continuous filament is initially bent to a configuration substantially the same as described hereinabove, but the heel portions located on one side of the tape are each twisted to provide the interlocking heads for the stringer. A continuous tape can then "ice be inserted intermediate the legs of each U-shaped element and then folded about the other heel portion and, when two such assemblies are brought together by means of a slider, the resulting outward appearance of the slide fastener will simulate a continuous seam.

It is the general object of this invention to provide a slide fastener having continuous filamentary stringers of a new configuration which in its closed position simulates a seam.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stringer of the continuous filament type for a slide fastener which can be readily mounted to the edge of its carrying tape.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of forming a continuous filament into a new and different slide fastener stringer configuration which in its application permits the slide fastener to close an opening so as to appear as a seam.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention can be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the slide fastener of the present invention, with the slider in a partially closed position;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the progressive steps necessary to form the stringer of this invention from a continuous filament;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a length of the stringer mounted to its carrying tape which, in turn, is secured to a garment; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a slide fastener that incorporates the novel filamentary configuration of this invention. Each of tapes 10 carry a similar continuous filament stringer 12 along one edge 14 thereof with sewn threads 16 securing filament stringer 12 thereto in a manner such that when a slider 18 is moved to the closed position, folded edges 20 of each of tapes 10' are moved into abutting relationship and retained by interlocking scoop elements 22 to simulate a seam 24.

To manufacture this type of filamentary structure, there is shown in FIG. 3 the successive steps of progressively forming the filament. A continuous filament 26 is initially formed in a modified zigzag 0r meander configuration on apparatus similar to that shown and described in US. Patent No. 3,106,749 issued to K. Streicher on Oct. 15, 1963. This is a modified zigzag or meander con-figuration, as the series of heel portions 28 located on one side of the configuration has a bight portion 30' which is larger than bight portion 32 located on the opposite side of the configuration. As a result, successive pairs of transverse leg members 34 and 36 are spaced closely adjacent toeach other, as determined by the length of bight portion 32, whereas adjacent transverse leg members 34 and 36 are spaced a greater distance apart, which distance is determined by the length of bight portion 30.

Once the meander configuration is generated, the configuration is progressively moved to the next station wherein the central portion of each of transverse leg members 34 and 436 are bent into a substantially U-shaped profile whereby each of the transverse leg members 34 and 36 now include leg members 35, 37 and 39, 40, respectively, which are located substantially parallel to each other. Leg members 35, 37 and 39, 40 are interconnected by equal length bight portions 38 and 41, respectively, such that bight portions 30 and 32 are now spaced near each other, but are separated a minimum distance as determined by the length of bight portions 38 and 41. It is 3 preferable that the bending of legs 34 and 36 be done in such a manner that the length of equal length legs 37 and 40 exceed the length of equal length legs and 39, whereby the series of bight portions 32 overlap and extend horizontally beyond the series of bight portions 30.

Following the formation of a U-shaped profile of each of transverse legs 34 and 36, the next step is to twist each of bight portions 32 substantially 90 in a uniform repetitious manner such that leg member partially overlies leg member 37. In so twisting bight portion 32, bight portions 38 and 41 as well as the leg members connected thereto are moved towards each other, so as to be located in a substantially side by side relationship.

Substantially simultaneously with the step of twisting each bight portion 32, a coupling element 42 is formed thereon although it has been found more practical to perform the separate step of forming a coupling element. This is readily accomplished by flattening bight portion 32 whereby coupling element 42 is formed to include a pair of projecting elements 43 at each end thereof, which will readily mesh with other elements in a manner to be described more fully hereinbelow. It should be noted that coupling elements 42 are arranged one behind the other, with each element 42 located in a common plane 44. Each of leg members 35 and 39 lie in a second common plane 46, which is located substantially transverse to plane 44. The stringer 12 is now formed from a continuous filament 26.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, once the continuous filament is wound into a continuous filament stringer 12, a tape 10 can be inserted edgewise intermediate each pair of legs 35, 37 and 39, 40 with the edge 14 thereof abutting against bight portions 38 and 41 each of which is now located to bend around a common axis which is substantially parallel to edge 14 of tape 10. Stringer 12 is fastened to tape 10 preferably at leg portions 35, 37 and 39, 40 by sewing threads 16.

The free end of tape 10 is then folded about the plurality of bight portions 30, which extend along a second common axis and provide a substantial support for folded edge 20. The free edge of tape 10 is spaced from portions 30 and generally underlies legs 35 and 39.

This structure can then be readily secured to the marginal edges 52 of a garment fabric 53 by stitches 54 which pass through tape 10 and garment fabric 53. Garment fabric 53 is then folded about stitches 54 in a manner well known in the prior art to provide folded edges 56.

Thus, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a slider 18 having opposite curved flanges 62 and 64 and actuated by a pull tab 66 will engage 'bight portions 38 and 41 of stringers 12 to intermesh elements 22 in a known manner. In so doing, folded edges 20 of tapes 10 will be brought into abutting relationship to simulate a seam 24. Also, with the proper application of the fastener to garment fabric 53, folded edges 56 will also be brought into abutting engagement whereby the garment will also have a simulated seam.

Bight portions 30 provide a substantially elongated support about which tape 10 is folded, whereby folded edges 20 can readily be brought into engagement by actuating slider 18. Edges 20 will always be formed and they are not dependent on the exact positioning of edge 14 relative to stringer 12, as was a problem with prior slide fasteners of the filament type.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to an embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide fastener including a slider comprising, in combination:

a pair of elongated continuous filaments each deformed respectively in a meander configuration to provide a series of U-shaped members, each including a pair of leg members joined by a bight portion, said U- shaped members arranged one behind the other to extend along a given axis with successive pairs of U-shaped members spaced closely adjacent to each other,

a series of interlocking scoop elements on each filament configuration disposed on a first side of said given axis for connecting together the remote ends of said U-shaped members of said successive pairs, with each of said scoop elements lying in a plane located substantially transverse to said given axis,

a series of U-shaped heel portions on each filament configuration located on the second side of said axis for connecting together the remote ends of said adjacent U-shaped members of one successive pair to the next successive pair,

an elongated carrier tape inserted edgewise intermediate said series of U-shaped members of each configuration with said given axis lying in the plane of said tape, said tape folded lengthwise about said heel portions of each configuration, and

means for securing each of said tapes to their respective fiamentary structure,

whereby when said slider is moved to a closed position to interengage said interlocking elements, the folded edges of said carrier tapes are brought together to simulate a seam.

2. A slide fastener according to claim 1 wherein each bight portion interconnecting the legs of each of said U-shaped heel portions extend along a second axis located parallel to said given axis, whereby said tapes are folded about said second axis with the fold line thereof spaced a constant distance from said given axis.

3. A slide fastener according to caim 1 wherein said bight portion of each of said U'shaped members of said pairs is located in side by side relationship, and said remote end of one of said leg members connected to said scoop element overlies said remote end of the second of said leg members.

4. A slide fastener according to claim 3 wherein said remote end of said one leg member connected to said scoop element lies on the surface of said tape.

5. A slide fastener according to claim 4 wherein said second leg member curves about said first leg member for connecting the other end of said interlocking scoop element, whereby said remote end of the second of said leg members partially overlies said remote end of said one leg member.

6. A slide fastener according to claim 5 wherein said first and second leg members are in contact with each other substantially throughout their length.

7. A slide fastener according to claim 1 wherein said bight portion of each of said U-shaped members on each of said tapes are arranged one behind the other outward of the axis of engagement of said interlocking scoop elements to provide longitudinal support guides along which said slider can be moved.

8. A slide fastener according to claim 7 wherein members extend the axis about which said tape is folded about said heel portions lies intermediate said heel portions and said interlocking scoop elements.

9. A stringer for a slide fastener formed from a continuous filament to include a plurality of interconnected spaced apart coupling elements located in a first common plane, with each of said coupling elements arranged one behind the other to extend along a given axis in said plane, and with each of said coupling elements located substantially in parallel relation with each other, comprising:

a series of U-shaped heel portions each lying in a second common plane located substantially transverse to said first common plane,

leg members of each heel portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to each other,

each remote end of each leg member curved into a U- shape about a common axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to said given axis, with adjacent leg members of adjacent heel portions interconnected to the opposite ends of said coupling elements in a uniform repetitious manner throughout the length of said plurality of interconnected spaced apart coupling elements.

.10. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 9 wherein each portion interconnecting said leg members of each of said U-shaped heel portions lying in said second common plane lie in a second common axis which is located substantially parallel to said given axis and said first common axis.

11. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 10 wherein said second common axis is spaced from the axis of intersection of said first and second plane.

12. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 11 wherein said second common axis is spaced substantially intermediate said axis of intersection of said first and second plane and said first common axis whereby said second common axis is located on the same side of said first plane as said first common axis.

13. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 9 wherein the remote ends of adjacent leg members of adjacent heel portions lie in a substantially side-by-side relation.

14. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 9 wherein said coupling elements are equally spaced along said given axis.

15. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 14 wherein each of said equally spaced apart coupling elements has an axis which is substantially transverse to the axis of said given axis.

16. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 15 wherein said transverse axis of each of said coupling elements is located to pass intermediate said heel portions lying in said second common plane which are adjacent to each other and whose leg members lying adjacent to each other are interconnected by said coupling element.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,404,272 5/1965 France. 1,032,554- 6/1966 Great Britain.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 24-205.13 

